Nice idea, having improved and flexible NIOS cores with additional
peripherals. But what happens to the design flow?
(1) The use of legacy sdk is not acceptable while looking for new features and improvements.
This seems to be a not well supported workaround that will die soon.
(2) Now the system libary will be build wihtin the NIOS IDE, resulting in long compilation times and
specially each new build checks the existing lib for update.
To reduce the turn-around time I'm now using the NIOS 2 SDK shell for the make command and the download command
to achieve adequate turn-around cycles.
(3) The application must be downloaded via JTAG - fast enough and o.k for lab use and development.
What about downloads in the field or the fab? A JTAG connection and the IDE installtion is required
on each computer (with NIOS1 and Germs, a serial terminal was enough).
(4) In general a JTAG interface is not available at component level (external interface). How
to download/upgrade SW without opening the box? Seems serial application interfaces like UART and Ethernet
are no longer supported and you have to write your own bootloader.
Have I missed anything?
Any feedback welcome!
